Review: Serino Maduro

Serino Cigar Co. is a small batch producer, putting quality over quantity. Now, I feel little funny saying that, since it seems to a bit cliche, but it is a noble quality to aspire to and I'll let the cigar speak for that. They are blended by Omar Gonzalez Aleman, who has blended at some very well known factories in his career and now owns his own factory, La Corona Cigar S.A.

Prelight: The wrapper has a wet leather, earth and spicy cedar aroma, with a very slight cocoa note. The foot has a much stronger chocolate note and a deep cherry note as well. The cold draw is nice and clean, with cedar, oak and a natural tobacco sweetness.

Beginning: Once lit, the first third of the Serino Royale Maduro starts with notes from the prelight, which blend into a nice flavor profile. First, is a somewhat sweet, natural tobacco note of chocolate and dark fruit. That slowly transitions to a more earthy flavor, with some light, black & white pepper spice. This maduro is starting out just above medium, with a clean burn and solid ash.

Middle: The middle of this maduro has some bite. The main profile is a spicy wood note, with undertones of sweet tobacco and pepper. There is also a bitter coffee note floating around in the background. By the end of this third the body is close to full and the strength is medium-full. The construction and burn are great and the ash is strong.

End: This Serino Maduro continues much the same to the end, as it did in the middle. Spicy wood and pepper notes, no sweetness anymore and a full profile. The burn got a tad wavy here and there, but nothing that needed attention or more than a mention.

Final Thoughts: Great construction, even burn and a flavor profile that never got bitter or made me want to put it down. But... There was a lit to live up to after the Serino Connecticut. This Maduro was stronger than I care for, with a lot of spice. For this reason, I personally wouldn't smoke this very often. It doesn't have the sweetness that I prefer in maduros. All that said, that is my personal preference. If you like strength, spice and body (say Pepin'esque) then you should try this cigar.

Rating: - "Wouldn't buy them, but I'd try to weasel some or trade for some."

Someone from the company is part of the Noise community and he seems to be very nice guy, but a brand new cigar in that price range would have to get very high marks from several independent reviews for me to give em a try. I wish them best though.